Number 10 has piled pressure on speaker John Bercow after new claims he bullied his staff emerged.

A spokesman said that MPs could refer the speaker to the parliamentary sleaze watchdog if they had concerns.

While the Leader of the House of Commons has said a judge-led inquiry should have the power to investigate individuals.

Former private secretary to the Speaker, Angus Sinclair, has claimed that Mr Bercow undermined him by mimicking him, swearing and shouting, and once even smashed a mobile phone by throwing it on to the desk in front of him.

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Mr Sinclair claims he received a £86,250 pay-off dependent on him signing a non-disclosure agreement barring him from making complaints about his treatment in the House.

The Speaker's office issued a firm denial of the allegations, which come amid an independent judge-led inquiry into claims of bullying of staff in the Palace of Westminster

Earlier today the Prime Minister called the new allegations against him "concerning" in an unprecedented intervention.

The PM's spokesman said: “The prime minister has been very clear from the start that there is no place for bullying or harassment in the workplace including parliament. It’s a matter for parliament to decide how to proceed, but the latest allegations are concerning and should be properly investigated.”

And when asked about how the allegations should be handled, a No10 spokesman said it was important they should be "properly investigated".

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But he said that it was essential for the House of Commons to take its own decision about how to do that.

He added: "I think the inquiry obviously has set out its terms of reference, but we suggest this is something the chair may wish to consider there."

"Or the House authorities, as the employer of parliamentary staff, could consider the best way for this investigation to be carried out."

"And also the Parliamentary Commissioner is in power to investigate allegations that a named member has breached the rules of conduct."

Asked if the PM was personally disappointed about the current inquiry into bullying not looking at individual cases, the spokesman said: "It's important the House decide the proper way to do this.

"But at the same time we want to ensure that those involved have faith in how it is being investigated."We feel it is right that the House take it forward."

(Image: REUTERS)

Asked if it would be helpful if Mr Bercow referred himself to an investigation, the spokesman said: "The would be a matter for him."

The Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom said the terms of reference were up to Dame Laura Cox QC to decide but she said: "I'm sure she will be looking very carefully at how best to respond to these latest developments.

She said in a statement:"We must call out unacceptable behaviour and stand by the House staff who do so much for us.

Bercow today denied the existence of non-disclosure agreements which stopped a former staff member claims stopped him from speaking out about alleged bullying.

In an excruciating interaction in the House of Commons, he was forced to listen as a Tory former minister raised concerns that members of House of Commons staff felt "unable to speak out".

Maria Miller, who chairs the women and equalities committee, asked Mr Bercow to make a public statement on his personal situation which he declined.

Bercow told MPs: "Let me be clear - current and former staff are not constrained by any agreements from talking freely and confidentially to the independent inquiry into bullying and harassment being conducted by Dame Laura Cox QC and I hope they will do so."

A probe into the working culture at Westminster is being led by Dame Laura following earlier reports alleging that officials were bullied by MPs including Mr Bercow.

The Speaker's office issued a firm denial of the allegations.

Mr Bercow told MPs today that he had not been involved in issuing any non-disclosure agreements.

He said: "I also understand that the clerk of the House has this morning provided the right honourable lady with a note on the standard terms of compromise agreements - now called settlement agreements - between the House and staff leaving under individual arrangements, matters in which I should emphasise I am not myself involved and never have been.

"He, that is to say the clerk of the House, has explained these are not non-disclosure agreements in the sense generally used. They do not in any way seek to prevent disclosure of wrongdoing on public interest grounds i.e. whistleblowing."

Mr Bercow added: "As for myself, I say to (Mrs Miller) and to the House, I have made a public statement to which I have nothing to add."

And he claimed "the great majority" of his staff had left on good terms.